The Herald Tribune gun blog reports that GLOCK 42 pistols have been experiencing barrel problems. “Barrel problems” caused by the weak .380 ACP cartridge are unusual. The shooter swears they were factory rounds (but don’t they all …).

What’s sparked my curiosity lately are reports of barrel problems.

One reader’s G42 shut down because of barrel damage. His dealer sent the barrel back to Glock.

The firm said the barrel was “damaged” by his ammunition, and that it would cost $125 for a replacement barrel – a fee the dealer paid.

Replacement barrels are 6 to 8 weeks away from arriving stateside …

“I spoke with a customer service person at Glock in Smyrna, Georgia and was informed that the barrel for the G42 is produced in Austria with a waiting  period of 6 to 8 weeks before barrels are shipped, and that all barrel replacements must bear the stock number in which to coincide with the stock number for the gun,” the gun owner told me. “So the G42 that I purchased back in January means that I will not have my gun back until April 2014.  I also called Glock in Austria and we’ll see if I get a call back or not.  Not very good customer service.”

It will be interesting to see what becomes of this story.